Building

Provo Online Portal

The Provo Online Portal is here! Create an account and apply for Building Permits and more at Provo.Org/Portal. All applications are to be completed and submitted online, but information that may be helpful are available in the Building Handouts section of this page for your review. For any further instruction, please contact the Building Division at 801-852-6450.

Request Building Permit InspectionClick here to request an inspection for an existing Building Permit. Please have your permit number ready as it is required for the request.

Building in ProvoThe purpose of Building Inspection is to ensure public and private structures are built to meet proven community design standards in order to protect lives and preserve investments. If you’re interested in building something within the Provo City limits, please refer to our Building In Provo page. This page details the role of each department as well as the requirements for different types of residential and commercial projects.

Structural Design RequirementsThe tables below list the structural design requirements for Provo, Utah. These specifications are taken from the 2015 International Building Code. For more information about doing construction in Provo, visit our Building In Provo page.

Roof Snow Load

Ground Snow Load

Wind Speed

Seismic Design Category

Winter design temp.

Flood Hazard

30 lbs./sq. ft.
40 lbs./sq. ft. on benches

43 lbs./sq. ft.

115 mph - 3 Second Gust
75 mph - Fastest Mile
Exposure C

D2

8 Degrees

FEMA 1988

Subject to Damage From

Weather

Frost Line Depth

Termites

Decay

Severe

30 inches

Moderate

Slight

Monthly Permit ReportsEach month the Building Division of Community Development prepares a list of building permits that were issued in the previous month. View these reports by clicking the 'Building Forms & Handouts' link in the column to the right, then clicking the 'Monthly Permit Reports' link. Historic reports can be requested by calling the Building Division at (801) 852-6450.

Appeal InformationIf you would like information about appealing a decision made by Community Development Staff or one of our Boards and Commissions, see our Appeal Information page.

HOURS OF OPERATION

ADDRESS

FAQs

Utah State and Provo City have adopted the following building codes as of July 1, 2016:

International Building Code 2015 Edition

International Mechanical Code 2015 Edition

International Plumbing Code 2015 Edition

National Electric Code 2014 Edition

International Fuel Gas Code 2015 Edition

International Residential Code 2015 Edition

International Fire Code 2015 Edition

International Energy Conservation Code 2015 Edition

Accessibility ICC/ANSI A117.1 - 2009

Does Provo City do Fast Track and/or Deferred Submittal permits?

Provo City does not encourage fast track construction. Special cases will be reviewed and may be approved to facilitate construction. The construction documents submitted must include all areas proposed for fast track construction.

What information is required on the building plans?

The Building in Provo page will help you determine what is required based on the type of project.

Are there any areas of Provo that have specific concerns for builders or developers?

Yes. There are soil problems in specific areas of the city. So far we have not identified many "unbuildable" areas. Some cost more to develop. The north east area is currently being evaluated for small landslides. Provo City Engineering and the State Geological Service are identifying those locations and the standard building plans will have to meet the requirements of the geotechnical reports. All along the mountains there are faults that have to be identified and built around. West of the Freeway there are several high water areas. As we get too close to the lake there are "Wet Lands" that have been identified by the Federal government, those areas are unbuildable.

Who can prepare building plans?

All commercial projects greater than 3,000 square feet in size, Per Title 58, Chapter 3a, Utah Code Annotated 1953, are required to be drawn by a Utah State Licensed Architect.

A single family home or garage can be drawn by anyone as long as they are to ¼” scale, legible, all rooms clearly labeled as to their use, and meet all the requirements of the Residential Plan Review Checklist. Generally, a larger single family home will require structural engineering calculations and connection details by a Utah Licensed Engineer.

Poorly drawn plans will not be accepted and will have to be redone by a draftsman or other qualified professional.

What is the cost of a Building Permit?

The permit cost is based on the cost (valuation) of the construction. We use a table found in the 1997 UBC to assess the permit fees. The permit cost is mainly used to cover the cost of the inspections.

A plan check fee of 65% of the building permit fee is charged to cover the cost of reviewing a plan before the permit is issued. The plans are checked for problems drawn on the plan that must be corrected or missing information that must be added.

A state fee of 1% of the building permit fee is charged and sent to the state for training of inspectors and contractors.

Other city departments assess fees based on various factors of each project.

When is a Building Permit required?

The 2015 International Residential Code Section R105.1 states, “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”